Tourism Management Course: Duration, Eligibility, Fees & Career Scope
Tourism management courses in India range from 6-month diplomas and 3-to-4 year undergraduate degrees (BTTM, BBA Tourism) to 2-year postgraduate degrees (MTTM, MBA Travel & Tourism).
Starting monthly salaries for fresh graduates begin at ₹15,000 to ₹28,000, while experienced professionals earn up to ₹1.2 lakh per month. Students can explore eligibility requirements, entrance exams, syllabus modules, fee structures, top colleges, and career outcomes across Indian institutions below.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Levels | Certificate, Diploma, PG Diploma, Bachelor’s (BTTM/BBA/BSc), Master’s (MTTM/MBA) |
| Duration | Certificate: 2 weeks to 6 months; Diploma: 6 months to 2 years; Bachelor’s: 3 to 4 years; Master’s: 2 years |
| Eligibility | Class 10th or 10+2 with minimum 50% aggregate (English as compulsory subject for UG); Graduation for PG |
| Popular Entrance Exams | NCHMCT JEE, AIMA UGAT, CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, CUET, Karnataka PGCET |
| Average Fee Range | ₹5,000 to ₹5,00,000 depending on course level and institution |
| Starting Monthly Salary | ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month (₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh per annum at entry level) |
What is Tourism Management
| Course Level | Typical Program Name | Duration | Eligibility Criteria | Average Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Certificate in Tourism / Hotel & Tourism | 2 weeks to 6 months | 10th Pass or 10+2 with 50% | ₹5,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| Diploma | Diploma in Travel & Tourism Management / DHTM | 6 months to 2 years | 10+2 from any stream | ₹15,000 – ₹2,70,000 |
| PG Diploma | PG Diploma in Travel & Tourism Management | 1 to 2 years | Graduation in any stream | ₹50,000 – ₹2,70,000 |
| Master’s Degree | MTTM / MBA Travel & Tourism / MA Tourism | 2 years | Graduation in any stream | Varies by institute |
Tourism management is a multidisciplinary field within hospitality overseeing food, accommodation, travel booking, and destination operations. Bachelor’s degree programs like BTTM and BBA in Tourism and Hospitality Management are typically 4-year programs with a 3-year exit option.
Tourism Management Eligibility
Class 12th students from any academic stream—Science, Commerce, or Arts—are eligible for undergraduate tourism management courses. Candidates must secure a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in Class 12th, with English as a mandatory compulsory subject.
Admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees depend on merit or entrance test scores. Key entrance examinations accepted by institutions across India include:
- NCHMCT JEE & AIMA UGAT: Popular national-level entrance tests for undergraduate tourism and hospitality degree admissions.
- Management Entrance Exams (CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, KMAT): Accepted for Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs specializing in Travel and Tourism.
Tourism Management Syllabus and Subjects
Course curricula in tourism management combine management fundamentals with specialized travel operational training. Master of Tourism and Travel Management (MTTM) programs, such as the curriculum offered at Banaras Hindu University, cover core modules across four semesters.
Key subjects covered across diploma and degree programs include:
- Core Operations: Principles of Management, Tour Operations, Hotel Operations, Transport Operations, and Accounting.
- Specialized Hospitality & Events: MICE Tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), Destination Management, and Tourism Marketing.
- Practical Skills: Computer Reservation Systems (CRS), airline ticketing, itinerary preparation, customer handling, and foreign language proficiency.
Top Tourism Management Colleges
State-wise breakdown of institutions includes Maharashtra with at least 93 colleges, Kerala with 68, Uttar Pradesh with 57, Tamil Nadu with 56, West Bengal with 52, and Karnataka with 48. Urban hubs like Bangalore feature 71 colleges providing travel and tourism courses. Across 18 reporting institutions, the median average placement package is 2.62 LPA.
Students can select from top-ranked NIRF universities, private institutes with strong campus placement records, major metropolitan hubs, and distance education options.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹24,020 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | — | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Government | ₹5,514 | 6 (Overall, 2025) |
| PSG College of Arts and Science | Coimbatore | Private (aided) | — | 10 (Overall, 2025) |
| Sri Venkateswara College | Delhi | Government | ₹25,500 | 11 (Overall, 2025) |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Chennai | — | ₹3.00 lakh | 13 (Overall, 2025) |
| Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University | Samastipur | — | ₹48,460 | 14 (Overall, 2025) |
| Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University | Bhubaneswar | — | ₹1.65 lakh | 15 (Overall, 2025) |
| Madras Christian College | Chennai | Private (aided) | ₹2.30 lakh | 16 (Overall, 2025) |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | Average package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College | Mumbai | Private (aided) | ₹1.53 lakh | 3.36 LPA |
| Jyoti Nivas College | Bangalore | Private (aided) | ₹2.57 lakh | 3.25 LPA |
| CMS College | Kottayam | Private (aided) | — | 3 LPA |
| Institute of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Development | Kolkata | Private | ₹5.60 lakh | 2.82 LPA |
| St. Francis College for Women | Hyderabad | Private (aided) | ₹70,000 | 2.7 LPA |
| Institute of Management Study | Kolkata | Private | ₹1.00 lakh | 2.65 LPA |
| AM Jain College | Chennai | Private (aided) | ₹1.09 lakh | 2.59 LPA |
| Mar Ivanios College | Thiruvananthapuram | Private (aided) | — | 2.4 LPA |
| St. Albert’s College | Ernakulam | Private (aided) | ₹1.17 lakh | 1.91 LPA |
| Global Institute | Amritsar | Private | ₹1.94 lakh | 1.8 LPA |
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pune | 32 | ₹38,000 – ₹9.40 lakh | MIT World Peace University, Vishwakarma University |
| Kolkata | 29 | ₹54,000 – ₹9.71 lakh | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Amity University Kolkata |
| Bangalore | 27 | ₹8,937 – ₹5.80 lakh | Jain University, Bangalore University |
| Mumbai | 25 | ₹45,000 – ₹3.39 lakh | Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, Mumbai University |
| Delhi | 23 | ₹14,700 – ₹4.66 lakh | Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi University |
| Chennai | 20 | ₹9,201 – ₹6.75 lakh | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Anna University |
| Hyderabad | 13 | ₹13,620 – ₹2.67 lakh | Osmania University, St. Francis College for Women |
| Bhubaneswar | 11 | ₹60,000 – ₹10.91 lakh | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BJB Autonomous College | Bhubaneswar | Government | ₹60,000 |
| Amity University | Noida | — | ₹1.99 lakh |
| Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research | Mumbai | Private | ₹3.39 lakh |
| Indira Gandhi National Open University | Delhi | Government | ₹14,700 |
| Venkateshwara Open University | Naharlagun | — | ₹60,000 |
| Jain University – ODL | Bangalore | — | ₹54,500 |
Tourism Management Career Scope and Salary
Career opportunities in tourism management span tour operating firms, airlines, airport ground handling, hotel chains, destination marketing agencies, and government tourism boards. Entry-level compensation across tourism roles ranges from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh per annum, progressing to ₹15 lakh+ per annum at senior executive levels.
Fresh graduates typically start in operational roles such as ticketing, itinerary planning, or sales execution, progressing to management positions with experience.
| Job Role | Entry-Level Monthly Salary | Experienced Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Manager | ₹22,000 – ₹30,000 | ₹45,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Airport Ground Staff | ₹20,000 – ₹28,000 | ₹35,000 – ₹55,000 |
| Itinerary Planner | ₹20,000 – ₹27,000 | ₹40,000 – ₹65,000 |
| Travel Consultant | ₹18,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹35,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Hospitality Executive | ₹18,000 – ₹26,000 | ₹35,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Customer Sales Executive | ₹17,000 – ₹24,000 | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Ticketing Executive | ₹15,000 – ₹22,000 | ₹30,000 – ₹45,000 |
| Destination Marketing Specialist | ₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000 (Senior) | Up to ₹1,20,000+ |
How to Apply for Tourism Management Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Eligibility Criteria: Verify completion of Class 10th (for basic diploma/certificate) or Class 10+2 from Science, Commerce, or Arts with at least 50% aggregate and English as a subject.
- Register and Appear for Entrance Exams: Apply for relevant national or university entrance exams such as NCHMCT JEE or AIMA UGAT for UG courses, or CAT/MAT/CMAT/PGCET for PG programs.
- Apply on University / Institute Portals: Submit online applications on official portals of preferred institutions (e.g., Jamia Millia Islamia, BHU, LPU, or Chandigarh University) with required academic documents.
- Participate in Merit Counseling and Interviews: Attend counseling sessions or Group Discussion/Personal Interview (GD/PI) rounds conducted by the specific university based on entrance scores or 12th marks.
- Document Verification and Fee Payment: Produce original 10th/12th marksheets, graduation degrees (for PG), ID proof, and complete course fee payment to finalize seat confirmation.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Tourism Management colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
FAQs
Is Tourism Management a good course?
Yes, tourism management is a growing field offering diverse global opportunities across airlines, hotel chains, tour operations, travel agencies, and government tourism boards with starting salaries ranging from ₹2.5 to ₹5 LPA.
Can I study tourism after 12th?
Yes, candidates from any stream (Arts, Commerce, or Science) who cleared Class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks and English as a subject can apply for undergraduate tourism courses like BTTM, BBA, or BSc Tourism.
What are the subjects in tourism management?
Core subjects include Tourism Principles, Tour Operations, Airline Ticketing & Computer Reservation Systems (CRS), Tourism Marketing, Destination Management, Transport Operations, Accounting, and Foreign Languages.
What is the salary of tourism per month?
Entry-level roles like ticketing executives or travel consultants earn between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 per month. Experienced tour managers and ground staff earn ₹35,000 to ₹70,000 per month, while senior specialists earn up to ₹1.2 lakh per month.
Which 6 month Diploma course is best?
A 6-month Certificate or Diploma in Hotel and Tourism Management or Ticketing and Reservation provides quick operational skills in CRS, customer service, and hotel/travel logistics for fast entry-level employment.
Which private college has the lowest fees?
Government-affiliated institutions like Mumbai University (₹5,000) and Andhra University (₹5,000) offer low fees, while private options like Chandigarh University offer full bachelor’s programs around ₹70,000 per year.
